We investigated clinical

outcomes, endocrinopathies, and neuropsychological sequelae associated with tectal plate gliomas. Twenty-six patients with tectal plate glioma were identified selleck chemicals llc in a 20-year retrospective review. Clinical outcomes, treatments, endocrine function, neuropsychological testing outcomes and radiographic imaging were reviewed for possible signs correlating with tumor progression. Among 26 patients, 19 presented with signs or symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (73 %) versus an incidental finding in 7 (27 %). Median follow-up was 46 months (range 8-143 months). Six of 26 (23 %) experienced progressive disease after diagnosis. Five of 26 (19 %) required more than one surgical procedure due to failure of initial endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Seven of 26 had history of endocrine dysfunction, of which, five presented with endocrine dysfunction (precocious puberty or short stature), 1 developed menstrual irregularities after surgical intervention and 1 had preexisting pan hypopituitarism. Of 12 patients with available neuropsychological testing, eleven had at least one indicator of executive functioning in the low-average to impaired range. While tectal plate gliomas have been considered indolent tumors that are

Ricolinostat rarely progressive, 23 % of patients in our cohort experienced disease progression and required further therapy. Neurocognitive deficits may occur, while endocrine deficiency is uncommon. Regular

multidisciplinary oncology follow-up, routine monitoring with MRI and formal neurocognitive evaluation are imperative to provide early recognition of disease progression or recurrent hydrocephalus and to improve school functioning in this population.”
“Background Chronic ulceration, especially in diabetes, remains a substantial clinical problem. BMN 673 molecular weight Exogenous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF) is efficacious in the treatment of chronic wound healing in both animal models and patients, but its role in diabetic wounds remains to be explored.\n\nObjectives Using a diabetic mouse model, to investigate the role of GM-CSF in wound healing.\n\nMethods Clinical observation, histopathology, immunohistochemistry and cytokine assays.\n\nResults There was a significant reduction (50%) in GM-CSF production in the wounds of the diabetics compared with nondiabetics. Exogenous GM-CSF substantially enhanced the wound healing in diabetic mice, accompanied by increased interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production. The elevated cytokines correlated with increased neovascularization, and infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils. GM-CSF showed no beneficial effects in nondiabetic wound healing.\n\nConclusions Our results provide useful guidelines for the clinical management of chronic ulceration in diabetes.

Hence,

we predicted that changes in the occurrence of Dominant Dolichoderinae, Hot-Climate Specialist and Cold-Climate Bafilomycin A1 Specialist functional groups would mirror the non-monotonic changes in habitat complexity, as predicted by the habitat accommodation model. Overall ant species richness and composition did not show clear post-fire successional patterns, with extensive spatial turnover a likely factor. However, richness and abundance of ant functional groups broadly responded as predicted, with Dominant Dolichoderinae and Hot-Climate Specialists more prominent in more-open recently-burnt and long-unburnt habitat, and Cold-Climate Specialists more prominent in less open habitat at an intermediate time since fire. This matching, non-monotonic temporal pattern of changes in ant functional groups and vegetation structure suggests that ant functional group occurrence is mediated through changes in habitat, as posited by the habitat

accommodation model, and not simply time since disturbance. Current fire management in E. salubris woodlands aims to minimise wildfire occurrence, which is consistent with the maintenance of ant functional diversity at a regional scale given the long time periods over which changes occur post-fire. The combination of recent large wildfires and predicted fire-facilitating climate changes suggest that future C59 Wnt cost shifts in the relative dominance of ant functional groups are likely if fire management is unsuccessful in

limiting wildfires occurring in mature woodlands. Crown Copyright (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Methanol has been historically considered an exogenous product that leads only to pathological changes in the human body when consumed. However, in normal, healthy individuals, methanol and its short-lived oxidized product, formaldehyde, are naturally occurring compounds whose functions and origins have received limited attention. There are several sources of human physiological methanol. Fruits, vegetables, and alcoholic beverages are likely the main sources of exogenous methanol in the healthy human body. Metabolic methanol may occur as a result of fermentation by gut bacteria and metabolic Selleckchem Batimastat processes involving S-adenosyl methionine. Regardless of its source, low levels of methanol in the body are maintained by physiological and metabolic clearance mechanisms. Although human blood contains small amounts of methanol and formaldehyde, the content of these molecules increases sharply after receiving even methanol-free ethanol, indicating an endogenous source of the metabolic methanol present at low levels in the blood regulated by a cluster of genes. Recent studies of the pathogenesis of neurological disorders indicate metabolic formaldehyde as a putative causative agent.

The vaccine efficacy and effectiveness point estimates were consistently positive for modest protection against 19A IPD and acute otitis media (AOM). However, statistical significance was not reached in any individual study. No consistent A-1210477 cell line impact of 7vCRM on 19A nasopharyngeal colonization could be detected. These findings are discussed in context of immunogenicity analyses indicating that 7vCRM induces functionally active anti-19A antibodies after the booster dose, and that other 19F-containing vaccine formulations may elicit

higher levels of such antibodies after both primary and booster doses.\n\nSummary: Taken together, these results suggest that 19F-conjugates can provide some protection against 19A disease. The magnitude of this protection in a given setting will likely depend on several factors. These include the anti-19A immunogenicity of the specific vaccine formulation, the number of doses of that formulation needed to elicit the response, and the burden of 19A disease that occurs after those doses. It is possible that a modest protective effect may be obscured by the presence of countervailing selection pressures (such as high antibiotic use) that favor an increase in colonization with antibiotic-non-susceptible strains of 19A.”
“Background and objectives: We designed this study to observe the DM prevalence, insulin resistance, beta cell reserve and the interaction

of these parameters in the first degree relatives of Type 2 diabetic patients AL3818 cell line in Turkish population.\n\nMethods: 125 subjects were included in the study. 25 subjects without the first degree diabetic relatives

were selected as the control group; they were matched by age, BMI, socio-economical, cultural and environmental factors. (OGTT), (IVGTT), (GST), and (ITT), check details were performed on all subjects and controls.\n\nResults: 12 (9.6 %) DM and 23 (18. 4 %) impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) cases of 125 subjects were diagnosed according to OGTT results. The mean BMI of diabetic subjects was significantly higher than of controls and subjects with normal glucose tolerance (p<0.05). When compared to the control group, the mean AUCinsulin levels were significantly lower in diabetic subjects (p<0.05). To observe the correlation between HOMAIR and KITT values, a statistically significant correlation was found (p<0.05, r: 0.222). There was a deficiency in the C-peptide response to glucagon stimulation in diabetic relatives (p<0.05, F: 4.59 One Way ANOVA).\n\nConclusion: We demonstrated that the first degree relatives of Type 2 diabetic patients constitute a high risk group for DM, IGT and insulin resistance by using four different tests in Turkish population. The significant finding(s) of the study: We demonstrated a high prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders in the relatives of type 2 diabetic patients.\n\nThis study adds our knowledge; insulin resistance and decreased beta cell reserve occur before diabetes mellitus begin in relatives (Tab. 5, Ref.

“
“Krasnikov BF, Melik-Nubarov

NS, Zorova LD, Kuzminova AE, Isaev NK, Cooper AJ, Zorov DB. Synthetic and natural polyanions induce cytochrome c release from mitochondria in vitro and in situ. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 300: C1193-C1203, 2011. First published January 5, 2011; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00519.2009.-A synthetic polyanion composed of styrene, maleic anhydride, and methacrylic acid (molar ratio 56: 37: 7) significantly inhibited the respiration learn more of isolated rat liver mitochondria in a time-dependent fashion that correlated with 1) collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and 2) high amplitude mitochondrial swelling. The process is apparently Ca(2+) dependent. Since it is blocked by cyclosporin A, the process is ascribed to induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition. In mitoplasts, i.e., mitochondria lacking their outer membranes, the polyanion rapidly blocked respiration. After incubation of rat liver mitochondria with the polyanion,

cytochrome c was released into the incubation medium. In solution, the polyanion modified by conjugation with fluorescein formed a complex with cytochrome c. Addition of the polyanion to cytochrome c-loaded phosphatidylcholine/cardiolipin liposomes induced the release of the protein from liposomal membrane evidently due to coordinated interplay of Coulomb and hydrophobic interactions of the polymer with cytochrome c. We conclude that binding of the polyanion to cytochrome c renders it inactive in the respiratory chain due to exclusion from its native binding sites.

Apparently, the polyanion interacts with cytochrome Anlotinib c in mitochondria and releases it to the medium through breakage of the outer membrane as a result of severe swelling. Similar properties were demonstrated for the natural polyanion, tobacco mosaic virus RNA. An electron microscopy study confirmed that both polyanions caused mitochondrial swelling. Exposure of cerebellar astroglial cells in culture to the synthetic polyanion resulted in cell death, Selleck Elacridar which was associated with nuclear fragmentation.”
“BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes) is a mitochondrial disease most usually caused by point mutations in tRNA genes encoded by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Approximately 80% of cases of MELAS syndrome are associated with a m.3243A > G mutation in the MT-TL1 gene, which encodes the mitochondrial tRNALeu (UUR). Currently, no effective treatments are available for this chronic progressive disorder. Treatment strategies in MELAS and other mitochondrial diseases consist of several drugs that diminish the deleterious effects of the abnormal respiratory chain function, reduce the presence of toxic agents or correct deficiencies in essential cofactors. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We evaluated the effectiveness of some common pharmacological agents that have been utilized in the treatment of MELAS, in yeast, fibroblast and cybrid models of the disease.

My hope is to inspire NCT-501 concentration young scientists to identify and celebrate their own unique tastes.”
“Amyloid-beta (A beta)-induced changes in synaptic function in experimental models of Alzheimer’s disease ( AD) suggest that A beta generation and accumulation may affect fundamental mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of APP overexpression on a well characterized, in vivo, developmental model of systems-level plasticity, ocular dominance plasticity. Following monocular visual deprivation during the critical period, mice that express mutant alleles of amyloid precursor protein (APPswe) and Presenilin1 (PS1dE9), as well as mice that express

APPswe alone, lack ocular dominance plasticity in visual cortex. Defects in the spatial extent and magnitude of the plastic response are evident using two complementary approaches, Arc induction and optical imaging of intrinsic signals in awake mice. This defect in a classic paradigm of systems level synaptic plasticity shows that A beta overexpression, even early in postnatal life, can perturb plasticity in cerebral cortex, and supports

Tariquidar chemical structure the idea that decreased synaptic plasticity due to elevated A beta exposure contributes to cognitive impairment in AD.”
“This study explores the site specificity (sulfur vs the Fe-Fe bond) of oxygenation of diiron (Fe(I)Fe(I) and Fe(II)Fe(II)) organometallics that model the 2-iron subsite in the active site of [FeFe]-hydrogenase: (mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2)L][Fe(CO)(2)L'] (L = L’ = CO (1); L = PPh(3), AZD2171 purchase L’ = CO (2); L = L, = PMe(3) (4)) and (mu-pdt)(mu-H)[Fe(CO)(2)PMe(3)](2) (5). DFT computations find that the Fe-Fe bond in the Fe(I)Fe(I) diiron models is thermodynamically favored to produce the mu-oxo or oxidative addition product, Fe(II)-O-Fe(II); nevertheless, the sulfur-based HOMO-1 accounts for the experimentally observed mono- and bis-O-atom adducts at sulfur, i.e., (mu-pst)[Fe(CO)(2)L][Fe(CO)(2)L'] (pst = -S(CH(2))(3)S(O)-,

1,3-propanesulfenatothiolate; L = L’ = CO (1-O); L = PPh(3), L’ = CO (2-O); L = L’ PMe(3) (4-O)) and (mu-pds)[Fe(CO)(2)L][Fe(CO)(2)L'] (pds = -(O)S(CH(2))(3)S(O)-, 1,3-propanedisulfenato; L = PPh(3), L’ = CO (2-O(2))). The Fe(II)(mu-H)Fe(II) diiron model (5), for which the HOMO is largely of sulfur character, exclusively yields S-oxygenation. The depressing effect of such bridging ligand modification on the dynamic NMR properties arising from rotation of the Fe(CO)(3) correlates with higher barriers to the CO/PMe(3) exchange of (mu-pst)[Fe(CO)(3)](2) as compared to (mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(3)](2). Five molecular structures are confirmed by X-ray diffraction: 1-O, 2-O, 2-O(2), 4-O, and 6. Deoxygenation with reclamation of the mu-pdt parent complex occurs in a proton/electron-coupled process. The possible biological relevance of oxygenation and deoxygenation studies is discussed.

VC also increased total stand biomass on sites without abundant woody competitors, but decreased it on shrub-dominated Mediterranean sites. For many of the site types and species investigated, harvest-related organic matter removal

and soil compaction (excepting aspen vegetative reproduction) have not resulted in large losses in stand biomass 10 year after harvest. Most stands, however, have not yet reached canopy closure, and treatment effects may continue to evolve. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“The aim of this study was to assess intraoperatively the hemodynamic changes in the donor vessel of free latissimus dorsi (LD) JNK-IN-8 purchase flap before and after denervation and to analyze flow changes after flap transfer. Twenty-seven patients underwent LD muscle microvascular reconstruction for lower-limb soft tissue defects. Measurements of blood flow were performed intraoperatively by using a 2- to 5-mm probe ultrasonic transit-time flowmeter around the dissected vessels. Registrations were made in the thoracodorsal artery before and after harvesting the flap, after compressing and cutting the

motor nerve, and after anastomosis. Mean blood flow of in situ harvested thoracodorsal artery as KU 57788 measured intraoperatively by transit-time flowmeter was (mean +/- standard deviation) 16.6 +/- 11 mL/min and was significantly increased after raising the flap to 24.0 +/- 22 mL/min (p <0.05); it was 25.6 +/- 23 mL/min after compressing the motor nerve and was significantly increased after cutting the motor nerve to 32.5 +/- 26 mL/min (p <0.05). A significant increase of blood flow to 28.1 +/- 19 mL/min was also detected in the

thoracodorsal artery after flap transplantation with end-to-side anastomosis (p <0.05). Vascular resistance in the thoracodorsal artery significantly decreased after flap raising and anastomosis (from 7.5 +/- 3.4 to 4.0 +/- 1.9 and to 4.5 +/- 2.4, respectively, p <0.05). LD flap harvesting BLZ945 in vitro increases blood flow and decreases resistance in the thoracodorsal artery, especially after denervation.”
“1 in 4 children will have at least 1 episode of acute otitis media (AOM) by age 10. AOM results from infection of fluid that has become trapped in the middle ear. The bacteria that most often cause AOM are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Differentiating AOM from otitis media with effusion (OME) is a critical skill for physicians, as accurate diagnosis will guide appropriate treatment of these conditions. Although fluid is present in the middle ear in both conditions, the fluid is not infected in OME as is seen in AOM patients.”
“Koala, a marsupial, and echidna, a monotreme, are mammals native to Australia.

“
“One of the key components of tissue engineering is a scaffold with suitable morphology, outstanding mechanical properties, and favorable biocompatibility.

In this study, beta-TCP-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) nanoparticles were synthesized and incorporated with poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) to fabricate nanocomposite scaffolds by the thermally induced phase separation method. The PLLA/beta-TCP nanocomposite scaffolds showed a continuous nanofibrous PLLA matrix with strut diameters of 100-750 nm, interconnected micropores with pore diameters in the range of 0.5-10 lm, and high porosity ( bigger than 92 %). beta-TCP nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed in the PLLA matrix, CP-868596 datasheet which significantly improved the compressive modulus and protein adsorption capacity. The prepared nanocomposite scaffolds provided a suitable microenvironment for osteoblast attachment and proliferation, demonstrating the potential of the PLLA/beta-TCP nanocomposite DAPT order scaffolds in bone tissue engineering applications.”
“Myosin storage myopathy (MSM) is a protein aggregate myopathy caused by the accumulation of myosin

in muscle fibres and results from MYH7 mutation. Although MYH7 mutation is also an established cause of variable cardiomyopathy with or without skeletal myopathy, cardiomyopathy with MSM is a rare combination. Here, we update the clinical findings in the two brothers that we previously reported as having see more recessively inherited MSM characterized by scapuloperoneal distribution of weakness and typical hyaline-like bodies in type 1 muscle fibres. One of the patients, weak from

childhood but not severely symptomatic until 28 years of age, had an unusual combination of MSM, severe dilated cardiomyopathy, and respiratory impairment at the age of 44 years. We identified homozygous missense mutation c.5458C bigger than T (p.R1820W) in exon 37 in these patients as the second recessive MYH7 mutation reported to date. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Enterococcus faecium IT62, a strain isolated from ryegrass in Japan, produces three bacteriocins (enterocins L50A, L50B, and IT) that have been previously purified and the primary structures of which have been determined by amino acid sequencing (E. Izquierdo, A. Bednarczyk, C. Schaeffer, Y. Cai, E. Marchioni, A. Van Dorsselaer, and S. Ennahar, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 52: 1917-1923, 2008). Genetic analysis showed that the bacteriocins of E. faecium IT62 are plasmid encoded, but with the structural genes specifying enterocin L50A and enterocin L50B being carried by a plasmid (pTAB1) that is separate from the one (pTIT1) carrying the structural gene of enterocin IT. Sequencing analysis of a 1,475-bp region from pTAB1 identified two consecutive open reading frames corresponding, with the exception of 2 bp, to the genes entL50A and entL50B, encoding EntL50A and EntL50B, respectively. Both bacteriocins are synthesized without N-terminal leader sequences.

In 54 patients of them, a static T 2 MRU was completed by excretory T 1 MRU after gadolinium administration and functional analysis has

been performed using two functional analysis softwares “CHOP-fMRU” and “ImageJ” software.\n\nResults. MRU showed suspicious renal and the whole urinary tract anomalies with excellent image quality in all children. In ureteropelvic obstruction, MRU was confirmatory to the other imaging techniques, but it was superior modality concerning the evaluation of end-ureteral anomalies. There was an excellent correlation between the MRU data and diagnosis, determined by BMS-777607 clinical trial surgery. The renal transit times, renal volumes and volumetric differential renal function were assessed separately by “CHOP-fMRU” and “ImageJ”

with excellent agreement with 99(m)Tc-DTPA and among them.\n\nConclusions. MRU overcomes a lot of limitations of conventional imaging modalities and has a potential to become a leading modality Lazertinib research buy in paediatric uroradiology. Synthesis of both anatomical and functional criteria in MR urography enables to select the best candidates for surgical treatment. Even small kidney dysfunction can be detected by functional analysis software.”
“Introduction The first maxillary molar is a tooth with three roots, and mesiobuccal one is with the most complex canal morphology. Factors influencing variations of its morphology are numerous, and may significantly complicate endodontic treatment.\n\nObjective The objective was to investigate the number, configuration and curvature orientation of the mesiobuccal root canals in the maxillary first molars.\n\nMethods The study was conducted on 200 mesiobuccal

(MB) roots of extracted first molars in human subjects using radiography. In each canal Flexofile was introduced until reaching the apical foramen and the root was then radiographed in series from two projections. Number of root canals (MB(1), MB(2) and MB(3)), configuration according to Vertucci classification, BI 6727 purchase and the orientation of the curvature were established. Relevant statistical parameters and the significance of differences were computed (p<0.05).\n\nResults Of total 200 mesiobuccal roots 86.5% were with two, 9% with three, and 4.5% with a single canal. Most frequent configurations were type IV (36%) and 11 (34.5%). From the clinical projection all MB(1) canals were oriented distally, from the proximal 78% palatally and 22% buccally. The orientation of all MB(2) canals was distal from the clinical projection, from the proximal projection 76% were oriented palatally, and 24% buccally. The MB(3) canal was always oriented distally from the clinical projection, and buccally from the proximal aspect.\n\nConclusion The mesiobuccal roots of the first maxillary molars showed multiple canals in 96%, with dominant Vertucci type II and IV of configuration. All canals were curved.

Given the remarkable efficiency of RRIGA, we suggest it may be an unappreciated contributor to copy number expansions in both disease and evolution.”
“BACKGROUND In prostate cancer cells, transforming growth factor (TGF) inhibits proliferation in earlier stages of the disease; however, the cancer cells become refractory to growth inhibitory effects in advanced stages where TGF promotes cancer progression and metastasis. Inhibitor of differentiation (Id) family of closely related proteins (Id1Id4) are dominant negative regulators and basic helix loop helix (bHLH) transcription factors and in general

promote proliferation, and inhibit differentiation. In Selleckchem JIB 04 the present study, selleck screening library we have investigated the role of Id1 and Id3 proteins in the growth inhibitory effects of TGF on prostate cancer cells. METHODS The effect of TGF on proliferation and Id1 and Id3 expression were investigated in PZ-HPV7, DU145, and PC3 cells. Id1 silencing through siRNA was also used in DU145 and PC3 cells to examine its role in anti-proliferative and migratory effects of TGF. RESULTS TGF increased expression of Id1 and Id3 in all cell lines followed by a later down regulation of Id1 in PZ-HPV7 expression and DU145 cells but not in PC3

cells. Id3 expression remained elevated in all three cell lines. This loss of Id1 protein correlated with an increase of CDKNI p21. Id1 knockdown in both DU145 and PC3 cells resulted in decreased proliferation. However, while TGF caused a further decrease in proliferation

of DU145, but had no further effects in PC3 cells. Knockdown of Id1 or Id3 inhibited TGF1induced migration in PC3 cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest an essential role of Id1 and Id3 in TGF1 effects on proliferation and migration in prostate cancer cells. Prostate 73: 624633, 2013. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.”
“Palm kernel oil can be fractionated into stearin and olein fractions. PP2 Traditionally, industrial players only fractionate the softer stearin fraction and harden it through complete hydrogenation. One stage dry fractionation yielded 37% of softer or 24% of harder stearin fraction. Two stages dry fractionation yielded 24% harder and 11% softer stearin fractions. Even though two stages dry fractionation salvaged up to 14% of the softer stearin fraction from the normally discounted palm kernel olein fraction, the double fractionation process was not always commercially feasible. Deciphering actual price statistics revealed that on a per metric tonne basis, the refining premium ranged from MYR90 to 250. Palm kernel olein discount was as high as 9% but could command premium over crude PKO by up to 2.5%.

However, initiating estrogen therapy after TAHBSO at ages 45 and older can increase breast cancer risk and should be considered carefully. (Obstet Gynecol 2012; 120: 27-36) DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31825a717b

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II”
“Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) has been proposed as a promising therapeutic option in treating obesity for 20 years. Currently, the available device of GES cannot meet the clinical needs. The purpose of this study is Duvelisib to verify the effect of a new type of adjustable gastric electrical

stimulator in reducing food intake and body weight.

Eight beagle dogs randomly followed GES and sham GES for 3 months in a crossover design. Parameters were adjusted and individualized during the experiment. Symptoms of GES were recorded, and the effective parameters were selected. Resistance to GES was assessed. Food intake and body weight were measured to evaluate the effect

of GES.

The effective parameters were varied among the dogs. Resistance to GES was observed in different periods in dogs. Parameters needed to be adjusted every 10.2 +/- 2.1 days during the period of GES. Food intake during GES for 3 months was significantly reduced than that during sham GES of 3 months (P < 0.05). With the decreased food intake, body weight was significantly reduced by the end of GES of 3 months compared with that of sham GES of 3 months (P < 0.05).

Food intake selleck and body weight of dogs are significantly reduced by adjustable GES. Individual parameters and resistance during GES are required to be considered. The new adjustable device may have good www.selleckchem.com/products/erastin.html prospects of clinical application for obesity.”
“There are many obstacles to conducting meaningful clinical research

studies in children with kidney disease. This review describes some of the challenges facing clinical investigators in pediatric nephrology, and proposes strategies to overcome them. Four broad categories of challenges are considered: inadequate power, funding issues, ethical issues and practical barriers. Power is influenced not just by sample size, but also by population heterogeneity and the outcome chosen; these issues are discussed in detail. Ethical issues and practical barriers of particular relevance to pediatric studies are considered. Examples of successful multicenter studies are provided. In addition, some of the strengths and limitations of existing registry data are highlighted.”
“Endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) techniques are very effective for the treatment of varicose veins, but their exact working mechanism is still not well documented. The lack of knowledge of mechanistic properties has led to a variety of EVTA protocols and a commercially driven dissemination of new or modified techniques without robust scientific evidence.